Obtaining Certified Copies of ​​Death Certificates

The California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) maintains a permanent, public record of every death that has occurred in California since July 1905.

For information on the types of certified copies please see the Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy webpage.​

Mail In Request

Please submit the following for a mail in request:

• Application for Certified Copy of Death Record (PDF) (VS 112) form

• Cómo Obtener Copias Certificadas de Registros de Defunción (PDF)​ (VS 112SP) form

• Notarized Sworn Statement (VS 20) form

• Located within the application

• Only required if requesting an authorized copy

• Check/Money Order for $24.00 per copy, payable to “CDPH-VR”.​
  

Please mail the request to the address below:

            California Department of Public Health

            Vital Records - MS 5103

            P.O. Box 997410

            Sacramento, CA 95899-7410​

In Person Request

The processing time begins when CDPH-VR receives your request. Please view our current Processing Times and Fees.​​